STAMPEDERS AND CMHA – TEAM UP TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ON SATURDAY

Swan River, MB – The Swan Valley Stampeders have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association, CMHA Swan Valley Branch for the first annual Talk Today game in support of mental health awareness on November 30 at 7:30pm when the Stampeders take on the Portage Terriers at Centennial Arena.

Talk Today is one of the most comprehensive mental health programs for amateur sports in Canada. It strives to promote the mental health of young athletes while spreading awareness about the benefits of positive mental health throughout communities across the country.

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:

A CMHA-run kiosk at the front entrance where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services

Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Swan Valley Branch

This mental health awareness game is part of Stamps’ new partnership with CMHA Swan Valley Branch and its Talk Today program. Talk Today, an initiative of CMHA Ontario in partnership with CMHAs nationwide, collaborates with amateur sports organizations across Canada to bring mental health awareness and suicide-prevention training to young athletes.

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention, in addition to linking each team to a CMHA Mental Health Coach who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need.

Since its launch in 2014, Talk Today has delivered suicide prevention training and provided resources to more than 3,000 athletes, 200 coaches, 300 billets and 100 staff in junior hockey, and high school, college and university athletics.

“Mental Health is being discussed and looked at more now than ever before! There is some great momentum at the national, provincial, and local level regarding mental health and illness, and discussions to help reduce the stigma associated with it” said Executive Director/CEO CMHA Swan Valley Branch James Wigley. “It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime however, 5 in 5 Canadians experience mental health. Support for programs such as Talk Today and organizations like CMHA are instrumental for the reduction of stigma associated with both mental health and illness and for support services that communities so desperately need. It is important as a community that we promote discussing mental health and illness as well as asking for help and support when it is needed. It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s important to reach out if someone is struggling. CMHA Swan Valley Branch Regional Head Office is located at 524 Main Street in Swan River, MB and offers a wide variety of services and resources related to support and recovery. For more information on CMHA Swan Valley Branch or to access support and other services, contact CMHA Swan Valley Branch at 1-204-734-2734.”

Tickets for the game can be purchased at the door. For ticket information, contact Cody at 1-204-734-7825.

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, visit www.cmha.ca.